Iloilo WS belles blast Negros IX

By Olmin Leyba, The Philippine Star

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - – Iloilo, bannered by a crew that competed in last year’s Junior League Softball World Series, unleashed its full might on Negros in regulation, 10-0, to kick off hostilities in the Batang Pinoy National Finals at the Bacolod National High School grounds yesterday.

The softbelles from Zarraga National High School, who represented Asia Pacific in the WS in Portland, wasted little time taking control, sending four runners to the plate in the first inning and four more in the next for an 8-0 cushion.

So dominating was the Iloilo team of former Blu Boy and world champion coach Rey Fuentes that Clarissa Lozada went home thrice and Percy Lorca and Shemami Mendador scored twice over four innings as softball preliminaries kicked off action of the 15-and-under event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.

It was a double whammy for Negros in a double-header slate as it also bowed to Bacolod, 1-9.

General Santos split its two games, beating Cebu, 8-3, but losing to Pasig, 1-10.

Hostilities go full blast today with 15 other sports commencing. A total of 18 gold medals will be at stake in athletics, including the centerpiece boys’ and girls’ 100 meter dash, while four will be on the line in weightlifting and three in gymnastics. Medal-rich swimming also reels off today.

Over 2,000 athletes from 172 local government units are taking part here, disputing 1,594 medals in 21 sports.

“We’ve pulled out all the stops for this hosting,” said Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella. “Our goal is to welcome everybody in the City of Smiles, let them enjoy the games, and help NSAs (National Sports Associations) discover talents.”

Notes: Participants were treated to a feast of chicken inasal at Bacolod’s famous Manukan County after the opening ceremonies...PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez announced that the 2014 edition of the Batang Pinoy will begin in August with the Visayas Qualifying leg in Kalibo, Aklan, followed by the Mindanao leg in September in Pagadian City, the Luzon regionals in October in Dasmariñas, Cavite and the national finals in November in Cebu City....Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella challenged other sports-minded city execs to a “Mayor’s Cup” boxing competition that he is willing to host.